Texans safety expected to make big impact again

Published 5:30 am, Thursday, June 10, 2010

Texans safety Bernard Pollard’s playful personality off the field is a stark contrast to the intensity he brings on the field.

Texans safety Bernard Pollard’s playful personality off the field is a stark contrast to the intensity he brings on the field.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

Texans safety Pollard puts his intensity on display

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Veteran Texans safety Bernard Pollard asked an equipment manager for a purple Gatorade at organized team activities on Wednesday.

The manager went to hand him the drink, but defensive end Mario Williams stepped in to steal it from Pollard. Pollard, who at 6-1 and 228 pounds is five inches and 57 pounds smaller than Williams, wasn’t having it. With playful authority, he reclaimed his purple Gatorade.

“He knew it was mine, and he shouldn’t have put his hands on what wasn’t his,” Pollard said jokingly. “But we kid around and have a lot of fun with it.”

Pollard’s playful personality off the field is a stark contrast to the intensity he brings on the field. He was cut by Kansas City last September, and since joining the Texans shortly after the start of last season, Pollard has become an invaluable part of the defense. He tied Brian Cushing with a team-leading four interceptions and ranked third with 82 tackles.

“I think the last month of the season, he was in total command of what we were doing defensively,” coach Gary Kubiak said of Pollard. “And obviously, he’s brought that back here this offseason.”

After starting 13 games last season in defensive coordinator Frank Bush’s system, Pollard has the potential to make an even bigger impact this season.

“He’s got a good grasp of what we’re trying to do, and he’s an even better player right now than he was when he left here last year,” Kubiak said.

Fitting right in

After being released by the Chiefs in the final round of cuts, Pollard said coming to Houston was one of the biggest blessings of his career.

“I thank God every day,” Pollard said. “I’ve always known what I can do, and this scheme allows me to really play ball.”

During OTAs, Pollard has earned a reputation as one of the team’s most intense players. When defensive backs are running through drills on the padded sled, most push the dummy hard enough to make a slight sound. But when Pollard runs through the same drill, he lifts the entire sled off the ground on every repetition, showing the strength of a defensive end.

“That’s just the attitude we have to have,” Pollard said. “I love showing my aggressiveness in practice just like it’s a game.”

Infectious mentality

Pollard’s work ethic in practice and ferocity on the field has been infectious with the rest of the defensive backs. Bush said that mentality is what the defense needs to get the Texans to the next level.

“He has just been a blessing and a surprise,” Bush said. “He played at a very high level last year, but now that he’s here to learn some of the nuances of the defense, I think he’ll be even better.”